James & amp; Weaver has a new boss

THE VINDICATOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- The name is the same, but James & amp; Weaver Office Environments, one of the oldest office furniture companies in the Youngstown area, is under new ownership.
Fred Stillwagon, the last in his family to own the business, sold the company to Denise Powell.
"James & amp; Weaver have a wonderful reputation and I'm proud to continue that," Powell said.
James & amp; Weaver, located at 22 W. Wood St., is a company committed to excellence for more than 75 years.
"The company specializes in creating office environments, space planning and design service that provide our clients with a one-stop resource for remodeling or new construction," Powell said.
"Our affiliation with local architects and contractors brings a team of experts that is unmatched by anyone else in Youngstown."
History: Stillwagon worked at James & amp; Weaver for more than 35 years. He began working for the company when he was 15 and learned the importance of business.
The business was co-founded by his grandfather Fred W. James, and was once owned by his father, Frank Stillwagon.
Fred Stillwagon decided to sell the company shortly after it celebrated its 75th anniversary. Many different aspects contributed to the sale of the company, he said, without elaborating. He remains active in the community.
Powell came to James & amp; Weaver from California. She worked with James & amp; Weaver three years before buying it. She has more than 15 years of experience in design and furnishing.
Now that she owns the business, Powell is dedicated to keeping the memory of James & amp; Weaver alive.
With her ideas in mind, Powell has begun to make the company hers. By renovating the showroom and adding a complete interior design and space planning department, Powell and her staff of 10 are devoted to the business and its customers.
Customers: James & amp; Weaver customers include Delphi Packard Electric Systems, Whispering Pines Assisted Living facility and General Motors Corp. The company has completed local and international projects. One of the newest projects is with the Youngstown Business Incubator on Federal Plaza West.
She said the staff members express their enthusiasm for their work while giving the company a sense of "new life."
Powell plans to keep the business in Youngstown and is looking forward to the reconstruction of the downtown area.